The Boston Celtics have been linked to minimal pre-trade deadline rumors, however none extra attention-grabbing than the potential reunion with Guerschon Yabusele.
Yabusele returned to NBA basketball after a six-year hiatus by signing a one-year, $2.1 million cope with the Philadelphia 76ers. It was a low-risk, high-reward contract that’s since paid off tremendously and has made Yabusele a desired midseason pickup to a number of groups, together with the Celtics, based on stories.
It’ll be an unexpected full-circle return to Boston if the Celtics do purchase Yabusele. The 29-year-old was Boston’s sixteenth total choice within the first spherical of the 2016 NBA draft and lasted two seasons earlier than departing silently. Yabusele didn’t have a job, nor was the chance opened to carve one out. That isn’t the case now, however till something official transpires, Yabusele isn’t invested within the rumor mill.
“Nicely, if one thing like that occurred, then I’ll speak about it when it occurs,” Yabusele instructed reporters Sunday after Boston’s 118-110 victory over Philadelphia, per CLNS Media. “However so far as proper now, I’m attempting to fret about our group. We obtained our factor occurring, we obtained ups and downs, however I really feel like within the final couple of video games, we’ve been displaying a variety of nice issues.”
Boston overcame a 26-point deficit, tying the biggest comeback accomplished this season and recording the biggest below head coach Joe Mazzulla to defeat the 76ers. It was a troublesome capsule to swallow on Philadelphia’s facet, however Yabusele carried out as much as par and strengthened why he’d be an acceptable deadline addition for the Celtics. Yabusele scored 21 factors and grabbed six rebounds throughout 36 beginning minutes.
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When the ultimate buzzer went off, Yabusele and Jayson Tatum shared a brotherly hug on the courtroom. It’s a typical postgame embrace for the tip of any NBA matchup, nevertheless it was particularly sentimental for the previous Celtics teammates.
Yabusele stays dedicated to a Sixers-focused mindset in the interim. Philadelphia uplifted the 6-foot-8 ahead this previous summer time after Yabusele improved his inventory worth whereas enjoying for Group France within the 2024 Paris Olympics. But, though Yabusele hasn’t been moved from Philadelphia, it doesn’t imply the Sixers aren’t fielding cellphone calls behind the scenes.
Due to this fact, Yabusele is sustaining an open thoughts whereas not getting caught up with the enterprise facet of basketball that’s past his management.
“I really feel like with what occurred (Saturday evening with Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis), all people’s in a spot the place you could be moved,” Yabusele mentioned. “So, I’m not attempting to assume an excessive amount of about it. I’m simply attempting to return out right here, do my job and do it the very best I can. Attempt to assist the group. … If it does occur, I might be in no matter scenario I gotta be in, so I don’t wanna get my head into this a bit of an excessive amount of. I’m simply attempting to consider enjoying proper now. I’m nonetheless a Sixers participant, and I hope to remain a Sixers participant.”
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Yabusele has been one of many league’s greatest offseason free company bargains, averaging 11 factors, 5.5 rebounds and two assists whereas capturing 51.5% from the ground and 40.2% from 3-point territory. He’s additionally made 24 begins by way of Philadelphia’s first 46 video games, stepping up amid the absences of co-stars Joel Embiid and Paul George.
The Sixers have introduced out the very best of Yabusele, however the Celtics might use “The Dancing Bear” again in Boston earlier than the playoffs when it’s formally time for the reigning champs to chase their repeat.
